Janet Jackson

Janet Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer, recognized for her innovative music, elaborate stage shows, and socially conscious lyrical content. After taking creative control of her career and partnering with producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Janet Jackson released her breakthrough album ‘Control’ in 1986. This seminal album achieved significant commercial success, selling five million copies in the U.S. and generating six hit singles, including ‘When I Think of You,’ her first number-one hit.

Her early career began on television with roles in series such as ‘Good Times’ (1977–1979), ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ (1980–1984), and ‘Fame’ (1984–1985). Jackson’s fourth album, ‘Rhythm Nation 1814’ (1989), further cemented her status, selling nine million copies in the U.S. and making history by producing seven top-five singles on the Hot 100. Critically acclaimed for its socially conscious themes, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1990.

The following year, Jackson signed a record-breaking multi-million dollar deal with Virgin Records. Her fifth studio album, ‘Janet’ (1993), marked her biggest success at the time, selling over 10 million copies in the U.S. and featuring the hit single ‘That’s the Way Love Goes.’ That same year, she made her acclaimed film debut in ‘Poetic Justice,’ earning Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations for Best Original Song with ‘Again.’ Subsequent releases continued to build on her iconic status, including ‘The Velvet Rope’ (1997) and ‘All for You’ (2001), with the latter debuting at number one on the Billboard 200. She also co-starred in ‘Nutty Professor II: The Klumps’ (2000), which grossed $170 million worldwide, and was honored as the first MTV Icon in 2001.

Most recently, her highly successful Together Again Tour (2023–2024) became the highest-grossing tour of her career.